The 2000s were an illustrious time for film. Any weekend in theaters offered new, exciting options for moviegoers, delivering anything from epic adventures to grounded character studies with phenomenal acting. The decade served as the sweet spot of a transitional passing of the torch between the old guard of established directors like Martin Scorsese and the new up-and-comers like Christopher Nolan with fresh, bold ideas.
All the elements were there for a renaissance of filmmaking, and the audience reaped the benefits with one fantastic movie after another. It’s difficult to narrow down the very best of the decade, but it’s hard to argue that the following ten movies are the greatest masterpieces of the 2000s. Each is a near-flawless feature, but they’ve been ranked by their originality, influence, and the escapism they offered audiences.
10
‘Gladiator’ (2000)
Gladiator kicked off the millennium with a crowd-pleasing tale of revenge and honor. The film tells the story of Maximus (Russell Crowe), a Roman General who is sold into slavery after his family is murdered by the devious new Emperor Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). Thrown into the gladiator ring, Maximus’ prowess in battle earns him recognition and eventually, a chance to face the corrupt Emperor and make him pay for his crimes.
Gladiator wowed audiences with a timeless swords-and-sandals masterpiece that recreated ancient Rome in stunning detail. At the heart of the movie is Crowe’s stoic but determined performance, making him a global star after developing a notable resume with films like Romper Stomper and <em>L.A. Confidential</em>. Gladiator would be one of the highest-grossing movies of the year, winning five Academy Awards, including top honors for Best Picture.
9
‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’ (2001)
One of the greatest movie trilogies of the 21st century started with Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. The beloved fantasy story follows a hobbit named Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) who leaves the comfort of his shire to embark on a great quest. Joining him in his journey is a fellowship of brave allies sworn to protect him and each other to prevent a great evil from reclaiming power.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring silenced any skepticism that the Lord of the Rings novels by J. R. R. Tolkien could be successfully adapted to the big screen. The first step in Frodo’s epic journey balanced large-scale, impressive visuals with strong character work to make a film that was accessible to long-time fans and newcomers alike. Its overwhelming success reaffirmed that when approached thoughtfully and earnestly, fantasy could draw large audiences to theaters.
8
‘Children of Men’ (2006)
Simultaneously bleak, frightening, and hopeful, Children of Men is one of the most significant films of the 2000s. Clive Owen stars as Theo Faron, a broken and solitary man getting by in a world where global infertility could spell the end of humanity as a species. When Theo becomes the unlikely guardian of a pregnant woman, he will face opposition and danger from every corner as he escorts her to safety.
A technical marvel that explored complex moral themes with ease, Children of Men is a standout sci-fi film of the 2000s. It grounds its sci-fi premise in a world that feels not so far out of reach, and the gritty presentation earned the film rave reviews and strong word of mouth from audiences. Director Alfonso Cuarón immersed moviegoers in the story with incredible long shots that made each moment of violence feel like it was happening a foot away and not on screen.
7
‘The Departed’ (2006)
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